Mets pitcher Walker Lockett has plenty to prove beyond start on Thursday

Walker Lockett will make his New York Mets debut on Thursday versus the Chicago Cubs. Even if he pitches well in this outing, he’ll have a lot more to prove if he wants to keep a big league job.

The New York Mets have turned to Walker Lockett to start in place of Noah Syndergaard in Thursday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old will make his Mets debut for a squad struggling to keep its head above water—if it hasn’t already sunken below. Since the announcement, many fans asked themselves, who is Walker Lockett and why is he here?

Lockett looks like a last-resort option for the Amazins. I understand they aren’t going with Wilmer Font. His effectiveness in the bullpen is something…